For many caregivers, there comes a point when they are no longer able to take care of their loved one at home. Choosing a
residential care facility—a group home, assisted living facility, or nursing home—is a big decision, and it can be hard to know
where to start.

1. It’s helpful to gather information about services and options before the need actually arises. This gives you time to explore
fully all the possibilities before making a decision.

2. Determine what facilities are in your area. Doctors, friends and relatives, hospital social workers, and religious organizations
may be able to help you identify specific facilities.

3. Make a list of questions you would like to ask the staff. Think about what is important to you, such as activity programs,
transportation, or special units for people with Alzheimer’s
disease.

4. Contact the places that interest you and make an appointment to visit. Talk to the administration, nursing staff, and residents.

5. Observe the way the facility runs and how residents are treated. You may want to drop by again unannounced to see if
your impressions are the same.

6. Find out what kinds of programs and services are offered for people with Alzheimer’s and their families. Ask about staff
training in dementia care, and check to see what the policy is about family participation in planning patient care.

7. Check on room availability, cost and method of payment, and
participation in Medicare or Medicaid. You may want to place your name on a waiting list even if you are not ready to make an immediate decision about long-term care.

8.Once you have made a decision, be sure you understand the terms of the contract and financial agreement. You may
want to have a lawyer review the documents with you before signing.

9. Moving is a big change for both the person with Alzheimer’s disease and the caregiver. A social worker may be able to help you plan for and adjust to the move. It is important to have support during this difficult transition.

This Week's Blog:

Fear, rather than health, drive married couple to be euthanized together >READ ON

Support Groups

Support groups are regularly scheduled, free gatherings of persons who are providing care for persons with Alzheimer's disease or a related disorder. The primary purpose of these groups is to provide education and knowledge about the disease and caregiver skills. Groups remind caregivers they are not alone, give them a chance to say what they are feeling in a supportive environment, learn new strategies and resources in the community and foster support networks.

CNBC:Goldman Sachs added Biogen to its Americas Conviction List, highlighting the biotech company's lead pipeline Alzheimer's drug as possibly one of the first to successfully prevent or slow the progression of the disease.

Medical News Today: Could Alzheimer's disease be caused by low levels of serotonin, the brain chemical known to affect mood and sleep? New research investigates. It is not yet known what causes Alzheimer's disease, but researchers are hard at work trying to unravel the neurological, molecular, and genetic underpinnings of the disease.

Medical Xpress: By the time you start losing your memory, it's almost too late. That's because the damage to your brain associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD) may already have been going on for as long as twenty years. Which is why there is so much scientific interest in finding ways to detect the presence of the disease early on. Scientists now believe that simple odour identification tests may help track the progression of the disease before symptoms actually appear, particularly among those at risk.READ MORE

The California Report:When you think of the debilitating, painful trauma of Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s, you probably don’t think of people climbing onstage to belt out feel-good classics from the “Great American Songbook.” But then you’re probably not thinking of The 5th Dementia, a Los Angeles group that keeps folks with neurodegenerative disease in the moment by playing music of the past — with help from a few teenage musicians.

NDTV: Here's another reason to get out of bed and put those jogging shoes on. According to a latest study those who take up running in their teens are far less likely to develop dementia later in their lives. The findings of the study reveal that jogging stimulates the brain and preserves memories. In the research conducted by the University of Toronto, it was further seen that the results are even more effective, if people take up the habit during their teenage or formative years.

On a sunny, hot, windy day
chirping birds come my way
Comfortable, beautiful, smashing
When water comes down and crashing
Relaxing, misty air
When people come they will stare
Sweet, pine, wet
People will never forget

New Product On The Block

Item #H002

Adult Diaper Disposal Pail

It is not uncommon for those living with incontinence to wear adult diapers and use other incontinence products. These types of products, though very helpful in protecting people from soiling their clothes and furniture, have their drawbacks. One of these drawbacks is the odor that they can cause after use. People may dispose of their incontinence products in a regular trash can, which can create an uncomfortable living environment and an issue with quality of life. This is why it is ideal for people with urinary incontinence to purchase an adult diaper disposal system.

The Alzheimer's Store researches products that can assist caregivers in the daily management of their loved one who has Alzheimer's disease and other related dementias. We feel the products offered on our website help to reduce anxiety and agitation, a common side effect of the disease. If you have any products that you feel would be beneficial to the Alzheimer & dementia community, we encourage you to share them with us.